New twist in Laikipia headquarters relocation case

The Nyeri High Court has allowed 46 interested parties in a case in which six Nanyuki township residents moved to court to block the relocation of the Laikipia headquarters and assembly to file their submissions within 21 days.

The six applicants, who are residents of Nanyuki town, had filed a case through their lawyer Robert Kimunya accusing the governor and county assembly of relocating the headquarters from Nanyuki town to Rumuruti town without initiating a public participation process.

The six applicants also argued that the relocation is a waste of public funds.

The 46 interested parties, who are residents of Laikipia West and Laikipia North sub-counties, support the move by governor Joshua Irungu and the county assembly.

Through their lawyer Gikuhi Njoki Chege, the 46 sought to be enjoined in the case, claiming that the location of the county headquarters is a matter of great public interest.

They say the headquarters should be relocated to Rumuruti where they can be accessed easily by all residents from all directions.

“The petitioners' application is incompetent, bad in law and an abuse of court process as the issues raised are not justifiable in law,” their lawyer said.

PASSED A MOTION

The 46 went to court following a court order that halted the relocation of the county headquarters pending the hearing and determination of the case.

The six residents argued that deciding to relocate without consulting the public amounts to misuse of power and constitutional rights.

On February 5 last year, the Laikipia County Assembly passed a Motion to shift the county government and its offices from Nanyuki to Rumuruti.

Members said the new location had ample space for expansion.

The six want the court to declare the Motion unconstitutional and also want the process and debate of the relocation to start afresh with the involvement of Laikipia residents.